Vanderburgh County Council Meeting - September 2, 2026
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Vanderburgh County Council Meeting - September 2, 2026
The Vanderburgh County Council convened on September 2, 2026, at 9:15 AM for a regular meeting followed by a public hearing on proposed 2027 budget changes. The council addressed personnel requests, appropriations, a tax phase-in for a new apartment development, and second reading of a bond ordinance, before voting on a series of budget reductions totaling over $7 million to address projected revenue shortfalls.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved minutes from August 12 and August 13, 2026 meetings.
- Personnel Vacancies (F1–J1): Approved motion to fill multiple vacancies across departments.
- Salary Ordinance Amendments: Approved amendments to the salary ordinance.
Discussion Items
- Prosecutor's Office – Step Placement for Deputy Prosecutor: The prosecutor's office requested approval of a step-three placement for a new deputy prosecutor with five years' experience. Discussion included concerns about precedent-setting for future hires and the county's tight budget. A motion to approve the step-three request passed 6-1 (Councilmember Rabin opposed).
- Prosecutor's Office – Stipend for Admin & Outreach Coordinator: Request to create a stipend funded by user fees (not county dollars) to match salary for a candidate with 25 years' experience. Council tabled the item to allow further research.
- LIT Public Safety Jail Positions (E1): A request to establish 15 new positions was tabled due to insufficient funds; council directed that the lines be created but left unfunded.
- Tourism Capital – Indoor Sports Facility Feasibility Study: A $30,610 feasibility study for a new indoor sports facility was discussed. Proponents cited potential economic impact of $50–100 million, while council members raised concerns about bond capacity and lack of details from the city. The item was tabled until the city provides more information.
- Old Farm Reserve Bond Ordinance – Second Reading: Unanimously passed (7-0) authorizing up to $10.5 million in bonds secured solely by TIF revenue, with no county credit pledged.
- Star Residences Tax Phase-In (The Nest at Red Bank): The developer requested a seven-year phase-in for new construction on a $17 million, 92-unit apartment project. Council unanimously approved, noting the project would turn vacant land (currently generating ~$12,000 in taxes over 10 years) into an estimated $190,000/year once fully taxed.
- 2027 Budget Reductions: Finance Chairman James Raven presented a packet of cuts totaling over $4 million from the general fund and $2.9 million from other funds (combined $7+ million). The council voted to approve all proposed reductions, with discussions on specific line items such as insurance (set at 15% increase as placeholder) and the Stop Domestic Violence grant (reduced due to vacancy but subject to adjustment). President Montresta highlighted additional pressures: $6 million projected circuit breaker loss in 2027, unknown impact of new veterans deduction, and elimination of property tax replacement credit in 2029.
Key Outcomes
- Prosecutor step-three placement: Approved 6-1.
- Prosecutor stipend for admin coordinator: Tabled.
- LIT public safety jail positions (E1): Tabled; lines to be created unfunded.
- Tourism capital feasibility study: Tabled pending city details.
- Old Farm Reserve bond ordinance: Adopted 7-0.
- Star Residences tax phase-in: Unanimously approved.
- 2027 budget cuts: Approved as presented; final adoption scheduled for October 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
- All appropriations (sheriff's overtime, jail overtime, Burdette Park seasonal help, CUME Bridge, legal services for county commissioners, etc.): Approved.
- Solid Waste District and Airport Authority budgets: Presented but not voted on; will be adopted at the October 7 meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for reporting. Mike on. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for attending our Vandenberg County Council meeting dated September 2nd. For those uh with us, thank you for being here. And for those that are watching, streaming it through Granagus, we welcome you as well. We'll open our meeting with an attendance roll call, please. Councilmember Yacarino. Here. Councilmember Shatler. Here. Councilmember Kiefer. Here. Councilmember Bassmeyer? Here. Councilmember Raven. Here. Councilmember Hahn. Here. President Montresta. Here. Full quorum. Everyone's here. Thank you so much. We'll next do our Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Jill Hahn and then the invocation. Paula Hurt will do that for us. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible. With liberty. For all. Dear Heavenly Father, as we gather today, we come with heavy but hopeful hearts, knowing this year's budget work won't be easy. Thank you for the privilege of serving our community and the trust you have placed in us. When resources are tight and needs are many, give us wisdom and the courage to make hard choices with integrity while protecting what truly matters. Lord, remind us that behind every number is a real person. Our neighbors, our co-workers, and the folks who keep this county running. Let fairness guide our decisions and compassion steady our hearts. Help us listen with respect, speak with honesty, and work together, even when we don't see things the same way. Keep us mindful that our purpose here is bigger than any one of us. Give us peace when the choices are difficult, clarity when the path is uncertain, and your presence throughout this process. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Paula, each prayer gets better every time I ask you to do it. Thank you so much. Very well said. And Jill, thank you for leading us in the Pledge of League. You're welcome. Next up is our approval of our minutes.
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